Cyndy Montgomery Reeves congratulates Annie Robinette and Jonathan Dean Snellings the Grand Prize winners in the competition.

   It was 'standing room only' for the first Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival, Songwriting Competition Finale and Awards Presentation, which took place in the Magnolia Room at the Edgewater Hotel.

 “These two hours turned out to be the most awesome evening of entertainment!” remarked Cyndy Montgomery Reeves, SMSWF Founder and Festival Director.

  “It was an incredible evening," said Karen E. Reynolds, host and program director for Writers Block on WDVX. "Not only were all of the finalists incredibly talented songwriters, but the Magnolia Room was packed beyond capacity. Even with extra seats added, people lined the walls and were spilling out into the hall."

   A panel of judges made up of music industry professionals helped make the competition a quality event. Judges included: Karen E. Reynolds-Professional Singer/Songwriter, Music Industry Consultant; Barbara Cloyd-Hit Songwriter, Owner of Ready for The Row and host for the famous Bluebird’s Café;  Chris Oglesby-formerly of BMG Publishing, Publisher and Owner of Oglesby Writer Management;  Scott Southworth-Award Winning Songwriter and host of the Music Row Show on WSM in Nashville; PJ Steelman-Grammy Nominated Songwriter and Producer; Kathrine Weeks-Professional Songwriter, Concert Promoter and President of GyrlGroove; Lee Mayer-Concert Promoter, Artist Management, Booking Agent and Producer, President/Owner of Houla Entertainment; and John Condrone-Grammy Nominated and Dove Award Winner Singer/Songwriter.

   The GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the competition was Jonathan Dean Snellings from Knoxville, with his song, "CAN'T HIDE CRAZY". Dean also took home the LISTENER’S CHOICE award for the same song.   Overall Top of the Line Winner – “Hanging On” written by Annie Robinette, Bristol, TN; Overall Finalist – “These” Mason Jars” written by Regan and Tekeesha Odom of Bakersville, NC; and Overall Runner Up -  “Love’s No Accident” written by Mitch Townley, Knoxville, TN.  Additional category winners include:

   Bluegrass Category Winner - "Keep it Simple", Top of the Line"- "Why", Finalist "Let em Fly", all three written by Dan Heimsoth, Cary NC; Runner -up "Appalachian Mountains" by Dave Maggard, Sevierville, TN. 

   Country Category Winner - "Can't Hide Crazy" by Jonathan Dean Snellings, Knoxville, TN; Top of the Line - "Mason Jars" by Regan and Takeesha Odom, Bakersville NC; Finalist - "Love's No Accident" by Mitch Townley Knoxville, TN; Runner Up- "All I Really Want" by Jonathan Dean Snellings, Knoxville, TN.

   Gospel/Inspirational Category Winner: "They Didn't Know Who They Were Fooling With" by Earnest Vaughn, Cincinnati, OH; Top of the Line - "Prayer (The Steering Wheel Song)" by Mitch Townley, Knoxville, TN - Finalist - "Distance" by Scott Parker, Oliver Springs, TN; Runner Up - "All I Really Want to Know " by Annie Robbinette, Bristol, TN.

   Pop Rock Folk Category Winner: "Hanging On" by Annie Robbinette, Bristol, TN; Top of the Line - "Right Before My Eyes" by Wyatt Easterling, Nashville, TN; Finalist - "Mess of Your Heart"; Runner Up - "Away" both by Tom Paisley, Birmingham AL.

   Lyrics Only Category Winner: "Unmarked Grave" by Peter Gilman, Cullowhee, NC; Top of the Line - "The River" by Logan Heinzelman, Mt. Dora, FL; Finalist - "America's Pastime" by David Haley Lauver, Knoxville, TN; Runner- Up - "Mama's Don't Lie" by Rhonda Champion, Sevierville, TN.

"On behalf of the SMSWF, we would like to extend our congratulations to the overall winners, as well as, all of the songwriters who entered this year’s competition,” said  Reynolds.  “They are all winners for getting involved and placing their songs in our trust,” she added. 

  The second annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is set for Aug. 15-18, 2013, and will once again take place in downtown Gatlinburg,TN. Submission dates for the 2013 Songwriters Competition are expected to be announced in early December of this year. 

   Keep up with all of the festival news and announcements by visiting www.smswf.com or follow us on our Facebook page at  http://facebook.com/smswf

 Marty Dodson, Clay Mills, Bobby Tomberlin and Chris Wallin perform at the preview event for the Smoky Mountain Songwriter's Festival. 

   The city of Gatlinburg is making final preparations to celebrate the rich musical heritage of Appalachia with the inaugural Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival.

   This year's theme is "Celebrate Our Appalachian Musical Roots." World renown hit makers and singer/songwriters will fill venues with ongoing performances in downtown Gatlinburg, August 23rd – August 25th.  The public is invited to enjoy these great performances and most of the venues are free admission

   Audiences can expect to see an impressive lineup including current top writers such as Bill Labounty, (“Rock My World,” Brooks and Dunn) Kim Williams, (“Ain‘t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up,” Garth Brooks; “Three Wooden Crosses,” Randy Travis) Bobby Tomberlin, (writer of hit songs including BMI’s 4 million airplay award winner “One More Day,” Diamond Rio; and cast member of CMT’s The Singing Bee) Mark Nesler, (“Just To See You Smile,” Tim McGraw) Chris Wallin,(“Don’t Blink,” Kenny Chesney), Marty Dodson, (“We Must Be Doing Something Right”, Billy Currington) and Clay Mills, (“Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio). Hot upcoming artists like Candi Carpenter and legends like Jim Glaser (former member of Tompall and The Glaser Brothers, hit solo recording artist, and writer of “Woman, Woman, Have You Got Cheating On Your Mind”).

     Dozens of other writers will also be performing in a fun and family friendly environment. Hear the stories behind songs recorded by Reba McEntire, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, George Strait, Faith Hill, Tanya Tucker, Billy Currington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Chesney, Keith Anderson, Alabama and The Oak Ridge Boys, and many others!

    One of  the highlights of the festival is slated to be The SMSWF 2012 Songwriters Competition Finale and Award Night Performances at the Edgewater Hotel.

    “The primary goal of the SMSWF 2012 Songwriters Competition is to showcase and bring a broader spotlight to the talent we have here in the Smoky Mountains and the Southern Appalachian region,” stated Cyndy Reeves, SMSWF Founder. “We are very fortunate to have Karen E. Reynolds with the Writers Block as our SMSWF Songwriters Competition Coordinator."

    The Category Finalists songwriters are set to perform at the festival, giving them the opportunity to be heard and seen by publishers, producers, record label companies, DJs, radio producers, and many more.  

      The SMSWF is hosting four great songwriter Workshops on Fri. and Sat. Aug. 24-25th.  “ “The Art of Songwriting…a behind the curtain look at writing a classic” being taught by Marty Dodson, (“We Must Be Doing Something Right”, Billy Currington) and Clay Mills, (“Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio);  “Enhanced Music Publishing Made Simple” by Hillbilly Culture;  Publisher’s Panel” with Doak Turner of The Nashville Muse; and “Paparazzo Pointers” by Kat Speers with MusicCityKat Photography.  For more information on how to register for these workshops go to www.smswf.com 2012 Workshops.   Also, Fri. Aug. 24 from noon to 5 PM on a first come first serve basis the judges from the Preliminary Judging panel will be available to critique songwriters’ songs at the Magnolia Room at the Edgewater Hotel.  Cost for the critiquing is $25 for three songs. 

    Last but not least, Jimbo Whaley and the Greenbrier will be in concert at the Mills Auditorium 6 PM Sat. Aug. 25, 2012 being hosted by The Gatlinburg Garden Club and Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg to benefit the Lucinda Oakley Ogle Log Cabin Restoration Fund.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on-line at www.smswf.com or call 865-604-9066.  Jimbo is writing a new song about Lucinda Ogle and her cabin to be performed for the first time at this concert. 

   The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is a “Special Event” sponsored by the City of Gatlinburg to be held during the last two weeks of August every year to "Celebrate Our Appalachian Musical Roots". As a platform for songwriters to perform their original songs, the mission of The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is to promote songwriters and to help their songs to be discovered not only by publishers and producers, but by all of us who simply love the songs they write.

 For more information regarding SMSWF contact Cyndy Reeves, at 865-604-9066 smswf@hotmail.com, www.smswf.com, Facebook Fans http://facebook.com/smswf

 Marty Dodson, Clay Mills, Bobby Tomberlin and Chris Wallin perform at the preview event for the Smoky Mountain Songwriter's Festival. 

   The city of Gatlinburg is making final preparations to celebrate the rich musical heritage of Appalachia with the inaugural Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival.

   This year's theme is "Celebrate Our Appalachian Musical Roots." World renown hit makers and singer/songwriters will fill venues with ongoing performances in downtown Gatlinburg, August 23rd – August 25th.  The public is invited to enjoy these great performances and most of the venues are free admission

   Audiences can expect to see an impressive lineup including current top writers such as Bill Labounty, (“Rock My World,” Brooks and Dunn) Kim Williams, (“Ain‘t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up,” Garth Brooks; “Three Wooden Crosses,” Randy Travis) Bobby Tomberlin, (writer of hit songs including BMI’s 4 million airplay award winner “One More Day,” Diamond Rio; and cast member of CMT’s The Singing Bee) Mark Nesler, (“Just To See You Smile,” Tim McGraw) Chris Wallin,(“Don’t Blink,” Kenny Chesney), Marty Dodson, (“We Must Be Doing Something Right”, Billy Currington) and Clay Mills, (“Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio). Hot upcoming artists like Candi Carpenter and legends like Jim Glaser (former member of Tompall and The Glaser Brothers, hit solo recording artist, and writer of “Woman, Woman, Have You Got Cheating On Your Mind”).

     Dozens of other writers will also be performing in a fun and family friendly environment. Hear the stories behind songs recorded by Reba McEntire, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, George Strait, Faith Hill, Tanya Tucker, Billy Currington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Chesney, Keith Anderson, Alabama and The Oak Ridge Boys, and many others!

    One of  the highlights of the festival is slated to be The SMSWF 2012 Songwriters Competition Finale and Award Night Performances at the Edgewater Hotel.

    “The primary goal of the SMSWF 2012 Songwriters Competition is to showcase and bring a broader spotlight to the talent we have here in the Smoky Mountains and the Southern Appalachian region,” stated Cyndy Reeves, SMSWF Founder. “We are very fortunate to have Karen E. Reynolds with the Writers Block as our SMSWF Songwriters Competition Coordinator."

    The Category Finalists songwriters are set to perform at the festival, giving them the opportunity to be heard and seen by publishers, producers, record label companies, DJs, radio producers, and many more.  

      The SMSWF is hosting four great songwriter Workshops on Fri. and Sat. Aug. 24-25th.  “ “The Art of Songwriting…a behind the curtain look at writing a classic” being taught by Marty Dodson, (“We Must Be Doing Something Right”, Billy Currington) and Clay Mills, (“Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio);  “Enhanced Music Publishing Made Simple” by Hillbilly Culture;  Publisher’s Panel” with Doak Turner of The Nashville Muse; and “Paparazzo Pointers” by Kat Speers with MusicCityKat Photography.  For more information on how to register for these workshops go to www.smswf.com 2012 Workshops.   Also, Fri. Aug. 24 from noon to 5 PM on a first come first serve basis the judges from the Preliminary Judging panel will be available to critique songwriters’ songs at the Magnolia Room at the Edgewater Hotel.  Cost for the critiquing is $25 for three songs. 

    Last but not least, Jimbo Whaley and the Greenbrier will be in concert at the Mills Auditorium 6 PM Sat. Aug. 25, 2012 being hosted by The Gatlinburg Garden Club and Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg to benefit the Lucinda Oakley Ogle Log Cabin Restoration Fund.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on-line at www.smswf.com or call 865-604-9066.  Jimbo is writing a new song about Lucinda Ogle and her cabin to be performed for the first time at this concert. 

   The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is a “Special Event” sponsored by the City of Gatlinburg to be held during the last two weeks of August every year to "Celebrate Our Appalachian Musical Roots". As a platform for songwriters to perform their original songs, the mission of The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is to promote songwriters and to help their songs to be discovered not only by publishers and producers, but by all of us who simply love the songs they write.

 For more information regarding SMSWF contact Cyndy Reeves, at 865-604-9066 smswf@hotmail.com, www.smswf.com, Facebook Fans http://facebook.com/smswf